Pros and Cons of Interest Only Mortgage Financing

It was not many years ago that hundreds of thousands of homeowners were taking advantage of the low introductory payments offered through interest only loans while real estate values skyrocketed in many parts of the country. After the recent mortgage meltdown and housing crisis the heyday of interest only loans are probably well in our rearview mirror. Today, many lenders have stopped offering any interest only mortgage programs and some states have made them illegal. Like many riskier loan products, interest only loans earned a less than stellar reputation as default rates for these products were higher than most fully amortizing loan programs.

How Do Most Interest Only Loans Work?

First, let’s examine how most interest only loans function in the residential mortgage marketplace. Most interest only loan (IO) payments are based upon a 30 year amortization schedule. Each loan has a specific introductory period (usually 3 to 15 years) where only the interest portion of one’s monthly payment is required. After that period has expired, the loan is then fully amortized over the remaining years of the loan where both principal and interest portions must be paid to the lender. In short, your 30 year principal repayment period would now be pushed into a 25 year window. The result is a large increase in monthly debt obligations.

So, Why Consider and Interest Only Mortgage?

Like most financial instruments there are plenty of good attributes to interest only loans as long as they are used appropriately. Five years ago it was possible to obtain an interest only mortgage with zero money out of pocket. As one would imagine, the home owner who took out that mortgage is not going to be in good shape if their home dropped in value (which it likely did). Add in the risk on an adjustable rate into the mix and you have a recipe for trouble. Ok, enough doom and gloom. If you have a substantial down payment or amount of equity, are planning on being in your home for under ten years, and the interest rate environment makes interest only loans appealing, it may be worth exploring. Why? As most traditional 30 year mortgages amortize, the interest portion on the mortgage repayment is heavily front loaded into the top half of the loan. Meaning, you are paying a disproportionate amount of interest every month during the early stages of your mortgage. If you are a good money manager or work with a financial professional with a proven track record of being able to out produce the percentage of interest associated on your mortgage, you may be better off using what you would have been paying in principal towards alternative investment strategies or paying off higher interest debt obligations. Plus, you can typically make principal reduction payments whenever you wish.
There are obviously reasons why banks and lenders have pulled out of the market and why some governments have disallowed interest only loans in their states. Still, with the right borrower, under the right set of circumstances an interest only loan can be the perfect fit. Always be sure to consult a seasoned and licensed mortgage professional before making any home financing decision. Only consumers who are educated and confident money managers should consider interest only loans as an alternative. Consumers should also make sure that they are in solid financial footing and that they could handle the monthly principal and interest payments if their interest only period ends and they found in themselves in a position where they could not refinance (i.e. being between jobs).

About the Author

Nat Criss is the President of Wilmington SEO & Marketing, Inc, helping mortgage lenders and brokers promote their brands and products, such as interest only mortgages, online.

LOAN MODIFICATION… the Real Story

Loan Modification…The Real Story

As most American homeowners are finding out the hard way, all the media-speak about Home Loan Modifications is
is just so much frustration, heartache and fear. Although the new Federal mandates like the Emergency Loan
Modification Act of 2008 and House Bill 3221 are supposed to give the lenders only two choices, Reduction of
Principal or Readily Modify the Loan,in fact it has been an exercise in futility in the real world.
You have honest, hardworking homeowners thinking they can simply call their banks and arrange a reduced
payment that is more in line with their current job status or home value after the Real Estate Market crash.
However, what they’re finding is a labyrinth of hold music, prompts, waiting on hold and never even
speaking to a live human being. Also, more times than not, they are given a phone number to call that is no
good or are simply hung up on.
As ABC News reported, even Los Angeles Congresswoman Maxine Waters, calling on behalf of her distressed
constituents,is not immune from the abuse of the banks’ systems. After 2 hours of this telephone runaround
she was able to feel a portion of the pain experienced by the average American homeowner.
So what’s the real story? Can you work with your bank to modify your mortgage?
The short answer is, in the real world, no. Emphatically no.
You must keep in mind what the bank really wants to know. That is: “CAN YOU AFFORD THE NEW PAYMENT?”
That’s it. Period. End of story.
Now, you’re saying to yourself, “No problem, I can do that myself. I can provide all the documentation
they want and I’ll certainly go along with anything reasonable if I can get a 30 year fixed mortgage with
a lower payment. That’s exactly what I’m looking for.”
And, in the normal rational world most of us live in, you would be right. Unfortunately, this is not
that world. It’s a bureaucratic quagmire of loan documents that made the closing you went to look like a
nursery rhyme.
Maybe it’s not an art, but there are definitely in existence systems and methodology to submit your
documents to your lender’s loan modification department that will get an acceptable modification of your mortgage.
These include bank statements, W-2s or 1099s, pay stubs, income tax returns, etc. This is not ususally
too difficult for most borrowers.
However, if the modification is based on hardship, the borrower must do some homework on writing the
hardship letter. This can be critical as the lender will definitely be looking for the mitigating factors
on their checklist.
Also, in the real world, 3rd parties are simply treated differently by the banks various departments.
Remember, these departments are staffed by hourly bank employees who have been overwhelmed by the sheer
volume of loan modification applications. All the lenders have had to make painful adjustments to handle the
influx of high volume in this arena and most simply can’t handle the demands on their infrastructure.
So what’s the average American homeowner to do? The answer is homework. Research a loan modification
company that fulfills 3 criteria:
1) No upfront charge for consultation and evaluation.
2) No upfront charge for submission for modification approval.
3) A money-back guarantee if your modification is not settled with lower terms.
Be sure to ask these questions in your e-mail or telephone conversations. And, especially,make sure
you talk to a live person. Keep the nightmare of prompts, hold music and hang ups in the realm of the lenders.

About the Author

Frank Sherman is a professional Loan Modification Consultant at http://www.tmdrc.com.

Home Mortgage Loans Let You Live in your Nest

Human being is the most advanced creature but sometimes it’s not as easy for him to build a home as it for a bird to build nest. Lack of money is the biggest hurdle in its way as bird needs straw, man needs money. Earning that much of money is not possible to buy home, it takes years and years. But, this problem has come to an end now; Home Mortgage Loans provide money to buy a home and everybody can become home owner. These loans are available under different programs and therefore they suit to the people in all the circumstances.

Mortgage loans are available in two types based on rate of interest. If you want to pay fixed interest rate for the complete life of loan then you can go for fixed rate home mortgage loans and adjustable rate home mortgage loans let you pay interest rate according to the market. Further, these loans are available in some other forms and you can choose the loan according to the way you can repay. When you contemplate to borrow loan the first thing you need to think about is your financial condition.

Your financial condition lets you know how you can deposit the installments of the loan so that you can easily select the loan suits you. To collect more and more information about these loans you must search over internet. It’s necessary because unless you are well informed you cannot make a wise decision. These loans are long term loans available for 10 to 30 years. You also must check the legitimacy of the lender or loan lending company before signing any document.

Home Mortgage Loans are secured in nature because the home you are buying serves as the collateral and posses the risk of foreclosure by the lender unless you repay the complete loan amount with interest. Home Mortgage Loans are repaid in the form of monthly installments. You can choose the monthly installment amount according to your budget otherwise you can also decrease the amount increasing the duration of the loan and vice versa. Make sure you do not fail to deposit the monthly installments regularly otherwise this may have adverse effect on your credit score as well as your home may also suffer with the risk of foreclosure.

About the Author

Christen Scott is passionate about writing and love to write over different topics. These days she is writing about Home Mortgage Loans and letting you know more and more about Home Mortgage Loans.

How Does My Credit Score Affect My Mortgage Rate?

This is a common question especially among first time homebuyers, and it is one that deserves a good explanation. A lot of people are surprised when they learn that they do not qualify for a mortgage loan at the low mortgage rates that are being promoted on television commercials and that may lead them to think they are being taken advantage of. The truth is – in most cases at least – far less sinister but no less upsetting.

When your mortgage loan application is completed it is sent next to an Underwriter who carefully examines all of the paperwork. It is the underwriter’s job to determine your credit worthiness and they consider a number of factors during this stage of the process. Your financial situation plays a large role here as does your job, your income and your time at that job. Underwriters look at your financial history as well, including the average balance you have kept in savings and checking accounts and other assets you might be holding.

One of the pivot points for most underwriting scenarios is when your credit report is pulled and examined. There are some companies and underwriters that will look at the credit score alone. If it does not meet certain predetermined criteria then your loan application will be denied or you will not qualify for as enticing a loan rate. The easiest way to look at it is this: the lower your credit score, the higher your mortgage loan rate is likely to be. This is because a lower credit score is looked on as an increased credit risk and with increased risk comes higher interest rates.

Less than Perfect Credit? There is Hope!

Knowing what you are dealing with is half the battle but even if there are a few dings on your report you don’t have to give up hope. Let’s face it few of us have a perfect credit history. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your dream of purchasing a new home. The staff at Wyndham Capital understands that bad things can happen to hard working people and we will work with you to do everything possible to find a mortgage loan product that will fit your needs without depleting your whole budget.

A lot of people get worried about their credit history without even knowing what is in it! If you aren’t sure what might be in your credit report there is a simple free way to find out. Federal law requires that you are allowed one free copy of your credit report every year but don’t be taken in by the television commercials that advertise as “free credit reports” and then try to sell you a monthly credit monitoring service. To get your free report simply go to annualcreditreport.com to get started.

Give us a call at Wyndham Capital Mortgage today and find out what our team of mortgage professionals can do for you!

About the Author

Wyndham Capital Article Source: Wyndham Capital Mortgage blog

Loan Modification – Where Should You Start?

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If you are having problems making your house payment each month in this current economic slowdown, you are certainly not alone. Many people have faced unavoidable problems that have effected their financial situation. In these difficult times, quite a lot of people need to ha ve their mortgage reworked to be able to stay in their home. But, it is not always an easy thing for someone to get a loan modification.

There could be two reasons you might be thinking about trying to get a reworked mortgage. You might be having financial difficulties that prevent the payment of your monthly house payment or other bills. Foreclosure is imminent, and you are quite desperate to keep your home. This option give you a last ray of hope.

You also might be quite up against it each month. You are just scraping by, amd you want to do something before you are facing foreclosure. Your life would be so much more enjoyable and relaxed if you could get a lower house payment, which is your biggest bill. You aren’t facing foreclosure, yet, but you want to act ahead of time before that fear becomes a reality.

Getting a reworked home loan can be sometimes be a little overwhelming. You may need some help from someone who is an expert in the procedures. They can help you figure the whole thing out and point out your best options.

If the correct changes are made in your loan agreement, you can get a much lower monthly payment. It could be that a lower interest rate would be put in place, and just think how you would feel to think you didn’t take advantage of that in the future. You would be paying much more money than necessary on your house payment that could be put to other living expenses. The length of the loan may also be extended in order to lower your house payment. Sometimes it is worth adding a few months to the loan term in order to have some relief financially today.

There are a few different scenarios that could be put into place to put an end to the financial dilemma you find yourself in. The right professional could show you some options that would provide an end result that would please you and make life much easier. Some folks have been forced from their home without the knowledge that they could have gotten a loan modification and avoided the trauma. Don’t let this happen to you. Get the assistance you need immediately.</div>

About the Author

To save your home,click here to get the help you need to qualify for a mortgage modification loan.

St Louis Mortgage Owners Use These 5 Clever Home Buying and Refinancing Tips

The St. Louis mortgage and real estate scene has seen unparalleled changes over the last two years. The good news is that there are proven tips on reducing the amount of stress involved with buying a home.

Here are the top five home buyer tips that can make your local home buying and St. Louis home loan experiences more enjoyable and financially rewarding.

1. Apply for your loan as early as possible which means NOW -

In a surprising turn of events, the Federal reserve took an about-face position stating their intentions to freeze all buying of mortgage-backed securities by March of this year. Consumers are advised not to wait any longer in regards to purchasing or refinancing since this unexpected decision on Capitol Hill would inevitably raise interest rates.

2. Take a close look at your credit report before your lender does -

The first step you must take is order a copy of your credit report. You must confirm if there are any errors listed on your report and if so, work on removing them before applying for that new loan. This is the only way you will attain a lower interest rate. Banks are looking closer at your financial records and will make you prove to them you are a good risk.

3. What are you bringing to the table in regards to a down payment -

Due to more and more borrowing restrictions, most lenders require buyers to put at least 10 percent down. This will benefit you with lower interest rates when purchasing or doing a St. Louis refinance.

For consumers that don’t have ten percent down, an FHA-insured mortgage with a needed 3.5 percent down may be an option. For those who do not have a down payment, you can pursue a VA or U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service loan. Although there are qualifications for both loans, neither requires a down payment.

4. Refinance your home but with an ideal twist -

Turn a common financial fumble into a refinancing game winning touchdown by not refinancing from the beginning. Instead of starting over with a new 30-year St. Louis mortgage, ask your lender to crunch the numbers with the remaining number of years left on your old loan.

A lower rate may then take you further down that path of saving money. However, if you need financial breathing room and a lower monthly payment would help, then refinancing into a new 30-year term may be the right loan for you. Make sure you discuss the possibilities with your St. Louis mortgage broker.

5. The extension of the tax credit may serve you well -

This would be another strong reason to purchase now because the tax credit for home buyers was extended and now you have until the end of April to ratify a new contract and until June to settle and fund. On the other hand, this should not be the main reason for buying a house. This should be an extra or “icing on the cake.”

Just remember not to rush into buying a house just to save up to $8000 or $6500 depending on what you qualify for. But for those who have possibly found the right home for their family, do not make the mistake of losing this tax credit nor the historical low rates at hand by waiting.

Smart home buyers always do some additional research and planning when buying a new home. And this really doesn’t matter whether it is your first or fifth purchase, these five home buying tips will work for you as they have already worked for countless millions.

For those who have little money for a down payment or who suffer from a lower credit score should probably wait to apply for that new loan. Taking time to correct these financial inadequacies will save you an unbelievable amount of time and money and will ultimately make your future St. Louis home loan a success.

About the Author

Home buyers who want to find out more about a St Louis mortgage, call 314-698-4092 or visit Floyd J. Tapia’s site on how to choose the best St Louis home loan for your lending needs.

Invoice discounting

It is not uncommon to get into a situation where you do not have enough cash in hand for the day to day running of your business or paying off some urgent bills. In such a situation you have a number of options to arrange for funds to tide you over during this crisis. One of the most important and potentially safe options for the arrangement of these funds is the use of invoice discounting.

What is invoice discounting?

The term invoice discounting refers to a short term borrowing that is used to improve a company’s working capital or cash flow position. When a business enters into an invoice discounting arrangement, the finance company will allow the business to draw down a percentage of the outstanding sales invoices, usually in the region of 80%. As customers pay their invoices and new sales invoices are raised, the amount available to be advanced will change so the maximum drawdown remains at 80% of the sales ledger.

Reliable Financial Firm

One of the most reliable firms in Australia that can help you with invoice discounting is Trade Finance Providers Pty Ltd (TFP), which is an Australian owned company with offices in the Sydney financial district. They are not owned or controlled by any bank. Their business purpose is to assist those companies that are operating in the global marketplace by providing finance for the purchase of stock, otherwise known as inventory. Having finance available for your business can, in many cases, make the difference between success and failure.

Trade Finance Providers Pty Ltd (TFP) is engaged in the business of providing innovative trade solutions to assist companies with exporting or importing. TFP is structured so it can provide this service to any credit-worthy business in any part of the world.

Their goal is to make the application process easy and quick for you, as they seek to assist your business for the long term. For obtaining more information on Trade Finance Providers Pty Ltd (TFP) and how they can help your business, please visit their website at www.tradefinanceproviders.com.au.

About the Author

Miles Franklin has been helping helping small and medium business concerns source loans and funds for their working for the last six years. He also likes to share his wisdom about his field of work through his articles.

14 Reverse Mortgage Myths

Seniors researching a reverse mortgage are likely to receive all sorts of advice both pro and con with regards to them. While being well-intentioned, unfortunately advice is often based on some common myths.

The editors of ReverseMortgageToday.Org have put together an unbiased list 14 of the most common.

Myth: If I take out a reverse mortgage the bank will own my home.
Reality: You will retain title and ownership of your homes. You and can also choose to sell the home at any time as long as the property taxes and homeowners insurance are paid and the house has been properly maintained.

Myth: When the loan becomes due, the lender will automatically sell my house.
Reality: While it’s most common for the borrower or the heirs to sell the home to repay the reverse mortgage, the choice is up to the borrower or their heirs make. Refinancing the home in order to repay the loan is also a possibility.

Myth: If I outlive my life expectancy, the lender will evict me.
Reality: Reverse mortgage lenders put no time limit on how long seniors can stay in their homes. Since homeowners still own the property, lenders cannot evict them, provided they follow the program guidelines.

Myth: My children are responsible for the repayment of the loan or they don’t feel comfortable with me taking out a reverse.
Reality: Often, seniors are surprised to know that heirs are happy or relieved to see their parents have a financial solution available to them. Often it is important for them to know that they will not be stuck with the mortgage and they will have the option of keeping or selling the home and pocketing any remaining equity.

Myth: The closing costs are much higher than for other loans.
Reality: Most Fees are somewhat similar to a traditional FHA mortgages except reverse mortgages include mandatory FHA insurance of 2% of your home’s value plus origination fees that range between $2,500 and $6,000. The origination fees are set by HUD. These 2 items are what separate reverses from traditional loans.

Myth: I’ve heard qualification is difficult or my income is too low.
Reality: You only need to be only 62 years of age and the owner of your own home. There are no credit or income requirements for this purpose. Because of this, many seniors who do not qualify for traditional financing are eligible for a reverse mortgage. You must not have any federal liens against you.

Myth: I cannot get a reverse mortgage if I have an existing mortgage. Reality: Paying off an existing mortgage is the number one reason most seniors take out a reverse mortgage.

Myth: I or my heirs could end up owing more than the home is worth. Reality: The mandated FHA insurance is structured so that the borrower or his estate can never owe more than the value of the home upon repayment. The Federal Housing Administration is an arm of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Myth: It’s cheaper to move to a smaller home.
Reality: This may be true for some people but seniors may want to analyze the costs associated with Real Estate Commissions and moving costs.

Myth: A Reverse Mortgage will affect my taxes and social security.
Reality: The proceeds from a reverse mortgage does not affect social security benefits or taxes. It is a loan and not income.

Myth: I cannot deduct interest on my taxes.
Reality: While you cannot deduct taxes while living in the house – you may deduct interest the year you pay off the reverse mortgage.

Myth: There are restrictions on how reverse mortgage proceeds may be used.
Reality: There are no restrictions. The cash proceeds from a reverse mortgage can be used for any purpose. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to pay off debt, help their kids or make ends meet.

Myth: Reverse mortgage lenders take advantage of seniors.
Reality: The vast majority of seniors report having a very positive experience with their reverse. Seniors who have been victims of reverse mortgage lending schemes are extreme exceptions. As a consumer, consider only working with lenders who are members of the Better Business Bureau and National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA). Our Advice – Borrowers should be very cautious of lenders attempting to cross sell other products.

Myth: There are no objective advisors available to seniors trying to decide if a reverse mortgage suits their needs.
Reality: Since we are not a lender, http://www.reversemortgagetoday.org provides free, unbiased reverse mortgage information. Also, HUD requires all seniors to work with approved, independent third party counselors before applying.

About the Author

Editor: http://www.RevereseMortgageToday.Org

How Reverse Mortgages Can Help Altogether 3 Senior Citizens

Have you thought, that the senior reverse mortgages are for one person only? Have you thought, how a couple can solve the problem to get extra cash from the home equity? And what about a senior team? Can three persons take reverse mortgages?

Well, lets go back to the idea of the reverse mortgages. The target of the Reagan Government about thirty years ago was to help American citizens 62 and over, who were called cash poor but equity rich. The solution was to launch the special loans called the reverse mortgages, which used the equity of the senior homes.

1. The Only Requirements.

The reverse mortgages are easy to take, because the qualification is simple. You must be an American citizen and at least 62 plus you must have an own home, where there is equity left, i.e. it cannot be filled with the loans only. The home must be your permanent home.

2. The Reverse Mortgages Have No Monthly Payments.

And what is even better. If you have an old, usual mortgage left, you will pay it away with the reverse loan. This means even more disposable cash money every month. The loan capital, the interests and all the costs will be paid back, when the home will be sold, a senior will move away or die. Then the home will be sold and a part of the selling price will be used for these payments. It is important to note, that the home price increases will raise the equity, because the borrower will remain as an owner.

3. For Which Purposes The Loan Is Meant?

The senior people use this loan for very different purposes. Some will buy a home for the child, some will use it to pay a sudden extra medical bill, some to pay for the house repair. Actually nobody can say, how you will use the money, that is totally your decision.

4. The Home Is The Only Guarantee.

The lender will not ask the income or credit score information, because there is no monthly payments. The only guarantee is the home equity. The borrower must take a mortgage insurance, which covers the costs, if the home selling price cannot cover the whole loan sum.

5. Altogether 3 Seniors Canb Be The Borrowers.

One, two or three are the possible amounts of the borrowers. It is natural, that all borrowers must fulfil the qualification rules, i.e. to be at least 62 and all must be the home owners. There is no need that these people are relatives to each other. They can be a team of friends, a couple or just one single senior.

If three seniors start as reverse mortgage borrowers, that can be a wise solution, because it is more economical to live in the bigger household. They can have a bigger home, which means a possibility to take bigger reverse mortgage loan. But before you sign anything, please meet the reverse mortgage counselor, because only he can guide and tell all the details.

About the Author

Juhani Tontti, B.Sc., Marketing. Altogether 3 Seniors Can Take The Reverse Mortgages. A Bigger Senior Team Can Take A Bigger Reverse Mortgage Loan. Visit: Reverse Mortgage Loans

Job Industry Worst Hit During An Economic Down Turn – Seek Protection!

Recession has hit the job industry badly! Leaving millions of them out of work and struggling to satiate their basic needs. According to Labor Force survey there has been a rise of unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage point. It rose up to 5.7 percent from 4.7 percent unemployment rate. This stands for over 1.6 million people, which implies that 1.6 million people lost their jobs and were left unemployed.

Although maximum number of blue collared labour class people were the worst sufferers, focus was more on the white collared managerial class. Skilled managers and professionals have a better chance of making an early return to work when they lose their jobs. Blue collar, labour class has been badly hit by the recession. Through mass surveys it was found that a majority of people who lost their jobs were from the manufacturing sector. The largest proportionate loss of jobs was found in manufacturing sector followed by construction sector. They have suffered a lot and have found it difficult to satiate even their basic needs.

In order to battle the economic standstill company’s have resorted to down sizing the company human resources and proportionate reduction of operational cost. In addition to this they have also limited their expansion to the bare minimum. Remember not to make any mistakes during an economic down turn. If you commit any mistakes, it is difficult to find those jobs again. Unlike any other field, the Sales job market is flourishing, and has something for everyone – home based, office based, traveling, or tele-sales. The job seeker can be a fresh graduate looking for his first job or a stay at home mom trying to earn a few extra pounds each month.

Those who have suffered in the past can think of some protective measures at least now! Unemployment payment protection insurance will offer a financial succour to all those who have lost their jobs due to company’s sudden decision to lay off an employee, accident or sickness. Your basic amenities including your kid’s school fees, medical expenses, debit card payment, mobile bills, credit card payments and loan payments will be made by the insurance company on your behalf. They offer you enough time to find another suitable job for you. You are provided a suitable compensation for 12 to 24 months which is sufficient time frame to find another job. Safeguard your income in times of crisis!

About the Author

Kirty Shetty, author in Insurance domains. Get all your free tips related to: Redundancy Insurance

Get more information on: Income Payment Protection Insurance